LevyMann Entertainment has entered into an agreement with Toys "R" Us to release its direct-to-video, animated musical pre-school series, ITTY BITTY HEARTBEATS. As part of the deal, Toys “R” Us will also carry a combo pack featuring a VHS of four eleven-minute episodes, a musical CD and two plush toys of the series' lead characters, CoolHeart and SweetHeart. All products will be exclusive to all Toys "R" Us stores beginning October 21, 2003, before launching wide 30 days later.

Kansas City Filmmakers Jubilee 2004
Kansas City, Kansas, USA
April 16-22, 2004
Deadline: December 15, 2003

The Kansas City Filmmakers Jubilee 2004 is a juried festival for short films under 30 minutes from across the USA and around the world. Its open division has subdivisions of animation, documentary, narrative, experimental and underground. The event includes screenings, seminars, jazz/blues and a BBQ. For more info, call: (913) 649-0244 or visit www.kcjubilee.org.

VES Awards 2004
Hollywood, California, USA
February 18, 2004
Deadline: December 1, 2003

The Visual Effects Society (VES) is taking submissions for the 2004 VES Awards. Participants can submit their entry forms for any one of the 23 categories through the VES Awards online submission site at www.vesawards.com. The 2nd annual event will be held on February 18, 2003 at the Hollywood Palladium. The deadline for submission is December 1, 2003. For the first time, a special Lifetime Achievement Award will be given.

4th Generation Media Presentation
Portland, Oregon, USA
August 19, 2003

6th Annual DVD Awards
Universal City, California, USA
August 20, 2003

The 6th Annual DVD Awards is the premiere awards ceremony for the DVD industry. Hosted by famed film critic Leonard Maltin, the event celebrates the art of making DVDs. This year the event will feature a Viewer's Choice Award. DVD publishers, film studios, production companies, mastering facilities and individual producers are invited to participate in the awards program honoring the best in DVD. For more information visit http://www.recordingmedia.org/dvd-awards.html.

Malibu, California, USA
August 24, 2003
Deadline: August 22, 2003

Sell/Pitch Your Story Event
Los Angeles, California, USA
August 23 – 24, 2003
Deadline: August 15, 2003

7th Hollywood Film Festival
Hollywood, California, USA
October 15 - 20, 2003
Deadline: August 18, 2003

Vancouver-based Mercury Filmworks is broadening its digital production scope in Canada with the addition of an Ottawa-based animation studio. Under the direction of former Funbag animation director Jerry Popowich (KING, UNDERGRADS, FREAKY STORIES, WATERSHIP DOWN, NEVER ENDING STORY, THE SIMPSONS, THE CRITIC, PINK PANTHER, TALES FROM THE CRYPT KEEPER), Mercury Filmworks’ new studio will offer design, pre-production and digital animation capabilities.

To further immerse gamers into its gritty, first-person war-torn thriller CALL OF DUTY, Activision Inc. has enlisted Jason Statham and Giovanni Ribisi to provide their trademark voice talent in key roles. Additionally, writer/producer Michael Schiffer (CRIMSON TIDE, COLORS, LEAN OF ME, THE FOUR FEATHERS and THE PEACEMAKER) has added his touch to the game's action-filled script. CALL OF DUTY will be available in fall 2003 for the PC and is rated "RP" (Rating Pending) by the ESRB.

Former Disney licensing exec Vincent Marchica is onboard as vp of creative, it was announced by Nancy Bassett, svp for DIC’s worldwide consumer products. Kathy DeGennero has been appointed senior designer and Heather Fuscellero will serve as director of retail.

Additionally, DIC has promoted Cindy Davis from director to vp of domestic licensing and Ryan Gagerman to exec director of international licensing.

Anime Network, the first dedicated anime network in the U.S., plans to acquire more anime programming for its growing digital network at the upcoming MIPCOM market in Cannes, October 10-14, 2003.

“With the diversity of programming available at MIPCOM, we expect to discover new sources for content which we can then bring back and introduce to American viewers, ” said Anime Network president Kevin Corcora. “We’re also anxious to meet and explore other opportunities for our sister companies, including ADV Films and NewType USA.”

47th San Francisco International Film Festival
San Francisco, California, USA
April 15 - 29, 2004
Deadline: November 12, 2003

UCLA Extension's Computer Graphics & Graphic Design Program Open House
Los Angeles, California, USA
August 18, 2003

Toronto-based March Entertainment will launch its new animated television series CHILLY BEACH September 3, 2003 at 5:30 pm, immediately following THE SIMPSONS on CBC-TV in Canada. Produced in Flash in association with the CBC, CHILLY BEACH represents the first time a Canadian property created as Internet Webisodes has been picked up by the network.

So! Animation has finished promotional design, CG animation and intro/bumper composites for the History Channel's RUSSIA LAND OF THE TSARS. The Russian history lesson had the highest ratings for any History Channel program when it debuted earlier this summer. Creative director Lauri Salladay served as compositor on the project with George Schermer and Rob Cazin handling 3D modeling.

Sixth Annual Marco Island Film Festival
Marco Island, Florida, USA
November 5 - 9, 2003
Deadline: August 15, 2003

23rd Atlantic Film Festival
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
September 12 - 20, 2003
Deadline: August 15, 2003

The 7th Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
November 26 - 30, 2003
Final Deadline: August 1

The 7th Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival is looking for features, short films, videos, documentaries, comedies, animations, obscure experimental films with or without sound, complex political rants, ironic chop-socky kung-fu flicks, deconstructivist mockumentaries, minimalist Generasian X slacker dramas and anything else that is brilliant, creative, weird or just plain entertaining.

The Deep Ellum Film Festival 2003 (DE/F2)
Dallas, Texas, USA
October 22 – 30, 2003
Deadline: August 1, 2003